Abstract:

We measure the quality of any friend, intimate or familial relationship not by mutual “niceness”, but by the learning and growing that takes place for both parties when they are compassionately real.  My sis and I have learned a ton about from one another.  My mother would be immensely proud of her, as am I.

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I am suffering from the opposite of writer’s block.  There is so much is going on lately that I am not sure what topic to discuss this week.

So in an effort to get out of my own head and to put my own giddy feelings into perspective I am going to choose to write about my sister and how some good news from her life has contributed to my own happiness.

You see my sister found out last week that she got a new job teaching at Harvard University.  She has worked very hard for the opportunity.  In fact, to me it seems like she has been studying since she was six years old.

My sister, the bookworm.

Our grandfather used to always tell her to keep her nose in the books.  Well she took him very literally!

Some background: my sister is my older and only sibling.  Three years separate us, and trust me growing up was not all rainbows and lollipops.

She was bossy, controlling, dictatorial and often aloof.  It’s funny how when we identify characteristics or tendencies in others that we dislike we often fail to look inward at how those same characteristics or tendencies help to define us.

She was also caring, kind, funny, generous and extremely supportive.  She became more of these positive attributes as we both entered adulthood, at least from my perspective.

Over the years our relationship has gone through some very rocky times but now is at a place that I could have never imagined.

She is who she is and I am who I am.  We have grown to love the contrast, and more importantly, we love the similarities.

Among the many reasons I felt great upon hearing her good news was that she chose to call me the day she found out.  She shared it, and we celebrated over the phone (she is in Boston).

And I could not stop thinking about it after we hung up.  It made me so happy.

In fact, my friends are probably tired of hearing about it too.  I must confess my sister and I are both school snobs . . . come on it’s Harvard for crying out loud!

It’s funny how in general we often forget to celebrate our own accomplishments, and just as importantly, the accomplishments of those we love.  Research suggests people who celebrate are more resilient when faced with life’s invariable setbacks and difficulties.

So this week do not just bask in all you have achieved, now and in your past, but find out what loved ones have been up to as well, and then celebrate with them.

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If you have any questions about coaching please feel free to contact me at scott@kineticcoaching.co, and remember I always offer a complimentary 30-45 minute session to prospective clients to determine if we want to work together.